Fri, 24 May 2019 21:07:04 +0100WeeblyFri, 24 May 2019 14:47:46 GMThttp://www.greatlinfordprimaryschool.co.uk/news/year-5-become-master-engineersYear 5 had a great time this week exploring earthquakes as part of our natural disasters topic. We had to design a structure that could withstand an earthquake using only cardboard, marshmallows and wooden sticks. We then tested our earthquake-proof buildings in an earthquake simulated in a tray of jelly. We had lots of fun and also learnt a lot.

Following the Dyson project, where talented engineers from Years 3-6 dismantled and re-assembled a hoover provided by the James Dyson Foundation, one group of Year 6 children took on an engineering project inspired by this. They were given the problem of designing and building a prototype which would solve a problem: 'How to help children who find it hard to focus in lessons.' The group, consisting of Emily, Ella, Miniah and Mafalda, came up with the idea of a Focus Box which would sit on the desk space. Inside their Focus Box was space for an exercise book and a pencil holder. The girls chose to add a circuit to the design and placed a switch inside the box to allow the student to turn on a light if they were stuck. Their reason for this was to allow students to ask for help without being distracted by having to wait with their hand in the air. "This means they could move on to the next question while their light was on and go back to where they got stuck once an adult arrived." Considering convenience, they created their prototype in a way which would fold down into an easy-to-carry box (as seen in the picture!)

They were then tasked with creating a presentation to explain their design and how it addressed the problem. This involved researching similar designs already on the market (which they found hard because there was little out there similar to this idea!) They researched costings if they were to make their prototype into a finished product and used this information to set a realistic price - after much debate between themselves about profit and cost, whilst remaining affordable! Finally, they filmed a short advert to promote their product. The girls scripted, acted and produced it themselves, including the filming of it. Although Mafalda moved countries during the time they have been working on this project, the other girls were very pleased to use her clips in the final advert to show the hard work she also put into the project.

Today, the girls were proud to present their presentation, prototype and advert to Miss Lovelock. Not only their engineering skills, but also their creativity, teamwork and problem solving has been a joy to watch and they have given up lots of their own time to complete this. Congratulations girls and I look forward to seeing it in the shops one day maybe!

The Junior Rangers had a great morning visiting Caldecotte Lake with The Parks Trust for their annual learning and sharing event. They learnt why it's not safe to swim in rivers and lakes, took part in a community litter pick competition, completed a John Muir mission in 100 steps creating natural signposting along the way and made wildflower baskets to attract bees. The team had a fab time and enjoyed meeting other Junior Rangers from different Milton Keynes schools.

]]>Tue, 21 May 2019 08:23:15 GMThttp://www.greatlinfordprimaryschool.co.uk/news/future-tennis-prosLast night, Year 3 and 4 tennis team took part at the Year 3/4 Tennis Festival at Stony Stratford Tennis Centre. The children played really well in their first festival and came 4th in their group. We are so proud of them! It was so lovely to see our young sports participants with such determination, resilience and amazing sportsmanship. Well done!​

Year 6 had a fantastic day visiting Mr Mulligan's Golf World thanks to a winning art entry from Thurab (Ash Class) in a recent competition. Following a week of hard work during sats week, the outing provided a welcome opportunity to let off some steam and work together in groups. Who know, maybe we have the next Rory Mcllroy here at GLPS!

Do you find it difficult to make learning your KIRFs (Key Instant Recall Facts) fun and easy? On the maths page of our website, there are now some downloadable and printable games linked to each of the KIRF targets for KS1 and Lower KS2. These include dominoes games, snap games, bingo games, connect 4, Kaboom and many others! Our maths page also has information about maths learning in our school as well as links to websites you may want to use at home.

The whole Great Linford Family would like to thank all the children for their hard work and determination during sats week. The children have been very professional and mature in dealing with the tests and their attitude and resilience has been noted by visitors and teachers alike. We wish all year 6 students a very relaxing weekend!

Thank you so much to Sandy for bringing in Meg, our School Dog, today for our Super Science lesson. Sandy talked to Year One about the similarities and differences between dogs and humans! We then labelled Meg and drew a picture of her, aren't we lucky to have such amazing people and animals as part of our school family!

Thank you Sandy!

]]>Thu, 16 May 2019 11:08:59 GMThttp://www.greatlinfordprimaryschool.co.uk/news/the-wish-projectLast Thursday nine children from across Year 2 and 3 were given the opportunity to attend the Milton Keynes Music Hub's Wish project. The Wish is the latest in a series of orchestral projects for young people in Milton Keynes who are at different levels of their musical development. The project was designed to engage young children and introduce them to the different instruments within an orchestra. The music within the Wish Project was was developed by composer John K Miles and specialist music leader Claire Henry. Both John and Claire ran the concert for the children.The children thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. Especially the high quality live music from an array of different instruments and the interactive aspect of helping to fix the orchestra by singing along to different songs. All of the children left the concert excited to try new instruments or continue learning the instruments that they already play.

]]>Tue, 14 May 2019 14:25:53 GMThttp://www.greatlinfordprimaryschool.co.uk/news/year-2-zip-yard-competition-winnersYear 2 went on a fantastic trip to the Zip Yard Milton Keynes this week! The trip was to celebrate not just having one winner but 2 winners from the design a bunny outfit competition. The winners Harlie and Aaron, got to take the whole class to the Zip Yard to see their designs being made. The Zip Yard showed the children how to sew together the outfits and got to help dress the winning bunnies. Everyone was impressed by how well they had transformed the designs into real life.

After the children were treated to a surprise visit from Bobby the Intu frog. They loved meeting Bobby and got to have their picture taken. The children were finally treated to a goody bag to take home. Everybody enjoyed watching the outfits being created and meeting Princess Neon (Harlie's Rabbit) and Aaron Junior (Aaron's Rabbit).